The Phoenix Suns fired Gene Traylor, their director of security, safety and threat administration, on Friday after he filed a discrimination lawsuit in opposition to the group, ESPN has realized. Traylor joined the group in January 2023 and sued the Suns in federal court docket in Might.
The group cited coverage violations relating to confidential safety data as the explanation for termination. An impartial investigation concluded Traylor was “deliberately untruthful” with investigators, in response to group officers.
Traylor’s authorized group disputed the Suns’ rationalization, calling the investigation a “pretext” for retaliation. Lawyer Courtney Walters mentioned the termination was rooted in retaliation quite than coverage violations.
“The so-called ‘impartial investigation’ was a pretext and a handy cowl to justify a termination rooted in retaliation, not fact,” Walters mentioned.
The attorneys plan to file a discovery request for all supplies associated to the investigation that led to Traylor’s firing.
Traylor’s lawsuit detailed a number of safety audit failures on the Suns’ area. Phoenix Police performed discipline checks in December 2023 and December 2024, with officers efficiently bringing weapons into video games undetected.
The NBA additionally performed a shock safety audit in February 2025 that the Suns reportedly failed. Three group sources informed ESPN the group has failed a number of league safety audits since 2024.
Traylor represents the fifth present or former worker to file a federal lawsuit in opposition to the Suns in a 10-month span. The latest case concerned former Mercury coach Nikki Blue alleging discrimination and retaliation.
